Sep 12, 2016: Sold for £358,400

Found on RM Sotheby's website on August 19, 2016

1929 Bentley 6½-Litre Sedanca de Ville by H.J. Mulliner
£395,000 - £495,000
London - Offered on: Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Specifications
Chassis No. KR2687
Engine No. KR2686

- Offered from the Estate of Mr Edward Carter
- The 1929 Olympia Motor Show car
- One of around 20 surviving 6½-Litre Bentleys; exceptional authenticity
- Handsome original coachwork; matching-numbers original engine
- Documented by Bentley historian Dr Clare Hay

180 bhp, 6,597 cc SOHC inline six-cylinder engine with Smiths multi-jet carburettor, four-speed manual transmission, front and rear semi-elliptical leaf-spring suspension, and four-wheel drum brakes. Wheelbase: 3,810 mm

To look at many 1920s Bentleys today, one might assume that every car turned out under W.O. Bentley’s watch was a fabric-bodied tourer. The truth is that when the “W.O.” cars were new, they carried a wide variety of diverse body styles by Europe’s finest coachbuilders. As many as 80 percent of these cars boasted beautifully bespoke-crafted bodies that were ideal counterparts to the racing-bred Bentley chassis, creating a “grand tourer” that combined finely tuned performance with great comfort, elegance, and reliability. These beautifully bespoke-crafted Bentleys are welcomed at the world’s most prestigious events, and this fine vehicle, thought to be the only surviving 6½-Litre Sedanca de Ville in the world, is no exception.

Chassis KR2687 was created by Bentley in collaboration with coachbuilder H.J. Mulliner of Chiswick, as a Sedanca de Ville. Presented at the Olympia Motor Show in October 1929, its coachwork has a very neat appearance, with unusually long and flowing wings exaggerating its powerful appearance, and a Barker-patented “de Ville extension” over the driver’s seat to give the appearance of a full limousine.

Featured in the “Show Number” issue of The Autocar on 25 October 1929, the car was sold at the motor show by W.O. Bentley’s brother, H.M. Bentley & Partners, to John Davie of Dartmore, Frithwood Avenue, Northwood.

Exhaustive research by noted Bentley authority Dr Clare Hay indicates that the car subsequently passed, in 1935, to Major RT Hon. F. Craven. It was laid up through World War II, and then, in 1952, was acquired, in notably original condition, by J.B. Sibly for £50. Displayed by Sibly in events of the Bentley Drivers’ Club until 1957, it subsequently passed through the stewardships of A.K. Harrison, J.N. Barlow, P.M. Mackie, V.H. Callcutt, A.M. Garrett, Sandra Roberts, and lastly, Graeme Miller. Then the president of the Bentley Drivers’ Club of Australia, Mr Miller recognised this as an extremely rare and unusually original vehicle, and maintained it for some 20 years with sparing use but good care, in order to protect it from becoming “just another Le Mans clone.”

The vehicle remains substantially and wonderfully original, with the major components clearly numbered and stamped at the factory; the original chassis number, KR2687, appears on the front chassis cross-member, and on the nearside front dumb-iron knuckle, as well as on the inside forward edge of the side panels of the bonnet, on the front axle, and on the steering box, all verifying the originality of each of these major components. The original engine number, KR2686, is, of course, still carried on the nearside bearer arm of the crankcase, and the correct “C”-type gearbox is believed to be the original to this car from 1929.

While the car has been well maintained since the 1970s, only in the current ownership of Mr Edward Carter was it thoroughly prepared to bring it back to its exceptional original appearance, including handsome and tasteful colours that greatly flatter its lines. The interior is patinaed and lush, including a fitted drinks cabinet. Further restoration work was performed by the noted Bentley specialists R.C. Moss of Bedford, including a full proper repaint to the current green and black livery, refinishing the top material in correct Rexine (of which R.C. Moss is currently sole manufacturer), fitting a correct-patterned Smith’s multi-jet carburettor with correct piping and linkage, installation of a correct Bentley plate clutch, and proper mechanical and cosmetic sorting.

The car is accompanied by a copy of Hay’s well-researched, detailed, and fascinating report, containing photographic documentation and a thorough discussion of the car’s components, as well as a history composed by a previous owner, that details the car’s regular participation in Bentley Drivers’ Club events from the 1960s, and restoration receipts from R.C. Moss.

So few of these cars have been carefully preserved and restored as they were when new; accordingly, this presents not only as a correct 6½-Litre, but also as one of the most proper of the handful of survivors. It is very much today as H.M. and W.O. Bentley knew it, and that fact alone makes a worthy addition to any stable of the finest pre-war sporting motorcars.

This car is presently owned by Edward Carter.

"During an auction Ferrari Enzo was standing next to a 1929 Bentley 6½-litre. The Bentley caught fire after someone pressed its gas pedal. Luckily, the Ferrari was not damaged by fire."

Villa Erba - 25 May 2013

1929 Bentley 6½-Litre Sedanca de Ville by H.J. Mulliner
High Bid of €540.000

Chassis no. KR 2687     Engine no. KR2686     Registration no. GK3664

180 bhp, 6,597 cc (402.5 cu. in.) single overhead cam inline six-cylinder engine, three SU carburettors, four-speed manual transmission, semi-elliptic front and rear suspension, and four-wheel drum brakes. Wheelbase: 3,810 mm (150 in.)

- The 1929 Olympia Motor Show car
- One of about 20 surviving 6½-Litre Bentleys, with original coachwork and engine
- Engine rebuilt and equipped to Speed Six specification
- Recently displayed at the Bentley factory

To look at many 1920s Bentleys today, one might assume that every car that was turned out under W.O. Bentley’s watch was a fabric-bodied tourer. The truth is that when the “W.O.” cars were new, they carried a wide variety of diverse body styles by Europe’s finest coachbuilders. As many as 80 per cent of these cars boasted beautifully bespoke-crafted bodies that were ideal counterparts to the racing-bred Bentley chassis, creating a “grand tourer” that combined finely tuned performance with great comfort, elegance, and reliability. These beautifully bespoke-crafted Bentleys are welcomed at the world's most prestigious events, and this fine vehicle, thought to be the only surviving Bentley 6½-Litre Sedanca de Ville in the world, is no exception, having been extended a special invitation to be displayed at Pebble Beach and also to take part in the Parade of Elegance on the 18th green in 2009.

The 6½-Litre offered today was created by Bentley, working closely with coachbuilder H.J. Mulliner, of Chiswick, as a Sedanca de Ville with a Barker-patented “de Ville extension”, intended to be used with a chauffeur, and it was presented on their stand at the Olympia Motor Show in October 1929. With coachwork created without compromise by one of the finest coachbuilders of the day, it exhibits the purity of line and clarity of design one expects of a hand-built limousine by a leading builder of bespoke limousines.

Outstanding features of the design include the “de Ville extension”, which, when closed over the front cabin, has a very neat appearance, and the unusually long and flowing wings gives the car the appearance of a full limousine. The owner reports that this extremely convenient and practical feature readily combines the fun of open air motoring with the ability to be snug, dry, and warm extremely quickly, should the weather turn inclement. Featured in the Show Number issue of The Autocar on 25 October 1929, the car was promptly sold at the motor show by H.M. Bentley & Partners, W.O.’s brother, to John Davie, of Dartmore, Frithwood Avenue, Northwood.

Exhaustive research by noted Bentley authority Clare Hay indicates that the car passed in 1935 to Major RT Hon. F. Craven. It was laid up through World War II, and then, in 1952, it was acquired, in notably original condition, by J.G. Sibly for ?50. The car was displayed by Sibly in Bentley Drivers Club activities until 1957, then it passed through the stewardship of A.K. Harrison, J.N. Barlow, P.M. Mackie, V.H. Callcutt, A.M. Garrett, Sandra Roberts, and finally Graeme Miller, from whom the present owner acquired it. Mr Miller, then the president of the Bentley Drivers Club of Australia, recognised that this is an extremely rare vehicle and kept it for some 20 years, with sparing use, in order to protect it from becoming just another Le Mans clone, the fate of so many big Bentleys. As a result, it had covered less than 10,000 miles since its extensive overhaul. During the last 10 years, the car has delighted the present owner, as he and his wife have campaigned it all over the world. Always maintained with an open cheque book, the car enjoyed an extensive engine refresh by noted Bentley specialists at Elmdown prior to being on tour in the U.S.A., and it has only travelled about 5,000 miles since that time.

This fantastic Bentley 6½-Litre has been well-maintained, regardless of cost, since the 1970s. From comments by then-owner Garrett, we understand that the engine was rebuilt at his insistence to Speed Six specification, three sand-cast two-inch SU carburettors on a unique manifold, undoubtedly providing quite spirited performance, and these were mated to the desirable “C” gearbox, which is believed to be the original unit to this car. The vehicle remains substantially original, with the major components clearly numbered and stamped at the factory; the original chassis number, KR 2687, appears on the front chassis cross-member and on the nearside front dumb iron knuckle, as well as on the inside forward edge of the side panels of the bonnet, on the front axle, and on the steering box, all verifying each of these major components’ originality. The original engine number, KR 2686, is, of course, still carried on the nearside bearer arm of the crankcase.

A measure of its rarity, this grand, gently-patinated Bentley has been in the care of Bentley Motors since 2007 until now, on display to visitors of the Bentley factory in Crewe, as well as shown in the Bentley Company's heritage museum, where it was thoroughly inspected by Bentley authority Clare Hay. Verifying the legitimacy of its coachwork and original components, a copy of Hay’s well-researched and detailed report, containing photographic documentation and a thorough discussion of the car’s components, is available for review and will accompany the car. As such, this presents as one of the most correct 6½-Litre models extant. It is one of the rarest big six Bentleys in the world, and it is a splendid and luxurious alternative for those occasions when high tea or the highway is more appropriate than the Mulsanne Straight.

May 25, 2013: Sold for €540.000

"Hi Robert, As you know, there are very few original 6½ litre cars left. Our delightful Sedanca de Ville, a car with enormous provenance which started with it being the show car at the 1929 Olympia Motor Show, will be sold at the exclusive Villa d'Este auction (25 May 2013) to be staged by RM.

We've owned the car for a long time and had the most memorable and enjoyable times with it; it has been a tough decision to put it up for sale. I know that someone else will enjoy the opportunities that owning such a rare and special car will bring, just as it has brought us. It has been a privilege."

At Cameron House Loch Lomond

Aug 30, 2012: Sold

6.5 Litre Sedanca de Ville
Sedanca de Ville coachwork by H.J Mulliner, The 1929 London Olympia Motor Show Bentley

Chassis KR 2687 Engine KR 2686

KR 2687 was H.J. Mulliner’s 1929 Olympia Motor Show car, a beautiful Sedanca de Ville body placed on a 6 ½ Litre Bentley chassis. This would have been an imposing sight in 1929, providing a focal point to the Motor Show, an exhibit that stood head and shoulders above its contemporaries and a vision of what could be achieved. Unsurprisingly, this ploy worked: KR 2687 was sold off the stand to its first owner, Mr J Davie.

Clearly a man of wealth, Mr Davie returned the Bentley in 1930 for an upgrade to that year’s latest specifications, the factory records showing updated road springs, pistons, compression ratio and a revised camshaft. Davie retained the Bentley until 1935 before selling to a British army officer, Major the Hon. Craven.

In 1952 KR 2687 was purchased for the grand sum of £60 by John Graeme Sibley, who used it regularly as a family car as well as frequently participating in Bentley Drivers Club events. Keeping the Bentley in the BDC fold, Sibley sold it to Vic Callcut, a fellow club member. Such was his love for the car, Callcut would own KR 2687 twice during his life.

A key figure in the preservation of the Sedanca de Ville body was Mr Adrian Garrett, who secured KR 2687 in 1974. Entrusting Vintage Bentley Specialists ‘Johnard Vintage Cars’, the engineering firm of the famous John Guppy and ‘Jumbo’ Goddard, a ground-up restoration was completed. At this time, Garrett took the opportunity - at great expense – to have the Bentley mechanically upgraded, including the installation of a high-performance crankshaft, triple 2-inch SU carburettors and a higher ratio rear axle. In this ‘Speed Six’ guise it was capable of over 100mph. It was noted during the restoration just how original the coachwork was.

The next long-term owner of KR 2687 was Greame Miller, president of the Australian Bentley Drivers Club. Also the owner of a well-known Speed Six, Miller was a proud preserver of this unusual saloon Bentley and when the time came to sell it he tried to insist that, as a condition of sale, the next custodian was not to remove the rare body.

The current Australian owner originally bought KR 2687 with the intention of doing exactly that: specifically, replacing the Sedanca de Ville coachwork with a Le Mans-style open four-seater. However, within only a few days of ownership, he realised he was the new guardian to a very special Bentley indeed. Over the years he has covered thousands of miles on many trips and tours all over the world, continuing to ensure that KR 2687 is a fast, reliable touring Bentley.

It was not unusual for a Vintage Bentley, when new, to be ordered with a closed saloon body; indeed, records show that over 80% were built like this. What is unusual is for an original, closed Bentley to have survived, with almost all having been replaced with replica open coachwork after the war. Being the last surviving original Sedanca de Ville-bodied 6 ½ Litre, KR 2687 is truly unique. One must remember that the Sedanca de Ville offers the driver the best of both worlds; an easy, quick choice of enjoying the delights of open motoring, or the option of having a enclosed cabin within a moment should the weather turn inclement. Featuring in the book ‘A Pride of Bentley’s’ as well as numerous Bentley Drivers Club Reviews, it represents a exceptional opportunity to acquire a Bentley of great stature and presence that is welcome at motoring events all over the world.

This car is for sale as of April 9, 2012.

This photograph was taken during the 'Britian by Bentley Tour' in June-July 2011 to celebrate the Bentley Drivers Club's (BDC) 75th anniversary.

Read article 'Vintage to the fore! - Report: BDC Britain by Bentley Tour 2011'

Rolex Tour d'Elegance, 2009

Pebble Beach, 2009

This car is currently owned by Syd Reinhardt in Australia, a member of the Bentley Drivers Club of Australia as well as the BDC. Says Syd, this "...a fine, very original matching numbers Sedanca De Ville currently on display at the Heritage Museum at Bentley Motors factory in Crewe."

April 2007

It's not often you see a 6 1/2 Litre vintage Bentley still sporting a saloon body these days and this is believed to be the only remaining Sedanca. It was the original Olympia show car," explains Syd. "Mulliners built it to show how splendid Bentley motoring could be." Maybe its life in the colonies helped to preserve its coachwork: the Reinhardts shipped the car over from Australia so that they could arrive in style after a 4500km tour across France with the BDC.

It shares a garage with Syd's '29 Speed Six...

The couple were at the Revival all three days and loved every minute: "The drivers are totally committed," says Nicki. "The field was so tight the cars looked glued together."

Was at the Bonhams Goodmans auction Australia, 2004.

With original Sedanca De Ville body. London Olympia Motor Show car.